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Robert L. Howard
Ranger Robert L. Howard was one of
America's most decorated combat soldiers. He was born 11 July 1939 in
Opelika, Alabama. He joined the Army at age 17 in 1956. He served five
tours in Vietnam and is the only soldier in our nation's history to be
nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor three times for three
separate actions within a thirteen month period. The first nomination
was downgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross. The second nomination
was downgraded to the Silver Star. The third nomination was downgraded
to a 2nd Distinguished Service Cross but later upgraded to the Medal of
Honor.
He received a direct appointment from
Master Sergeant to 1st Lieutenant in 1969, and was awarded the Medal of
Honor by President Richard M. Nixon at the White House in 1971. His
other awards for valor include the Distinguished Service Cross - our
nation's second highest award, the Silver Star - the third highest
award, and numerous lesser decorations for Valor including eight Purple
Hearts for wounds in combat. He received all his decorations for valor
while serving as a Non-Commissioned Officer.
Robert L. Howard retired as a full
Colonel in 1992 after 36 years of military service. During Vietnam, he
served in the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets) and spent most of
his five tours in the super-secret MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command
Vietnam- Studies and Observations Group) also known as Special
Operations Group, which ran classified cross-border operations into
Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam. These men carried out some of the
most daring and dangerous missions ever conducted by the U.S. military.
The under strength sixty-man recon company at Kontum in which he served
was the Vietnam War's most highly decorated unit of its size with five
Medals of Honor. It was for his actions while serving on a mission to
rescue a fellow soldier, that he was submitted for the Medal of Honor
the third time for his extraordinary heroism.
Never one to quit training, Robert
Howard volunteered for Ranger School and graduated with Ranger Class
7-73 in May 1973 and later served as a Ranger Company Commander at Fort
Benning and twice Commanded Ranger Companies in the 2nd Ranger Bn at
Fort Lewis, Washington. Later, He was a Ranger Instructor here at the
Mountain Ranger Camp from 1977-78 and later still a Special Forces
Instructor at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Robert L. Howard is said to be our
nation's most decorated soldier from the Vietnam War. He was the last
Vietnam Special Forces Medal of Honor recipient still on active duty
when he retired on 29 September 1992. Besides the Congressional Medal of
Honor, Ranger Bob Howard was awarded:
The Distinguished Service Cross with
oak leaf cluster
The Silver Star
The Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters
The Bronze Star with three oak leaf clusters and V device
The Purple Heart with one silver and two bronze oak left clusters (8
awards)
The Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
The Air Medal with V Device and Numeral 3
The Joint Service Commendation Medal
The Army Commendation Medal with V Device and a silver and bronze oak
leaf cluster including 4 awards for Valor
The Joint Service Achievement Medal
The Army Achievement Medal
Additionally his awards also include:
The Good Conduct Medal with four Good Conduct Loops (4 awards)
The National Defense Service Medal
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with three service stars (3 awards)
The Vietnam Service Medal with 3 service stars (3 campaigns)
The Armed Forces Reserve Medal
The NCO Professional Development Ribbon with 2 devices
The Army Service Ribbon
The Army Overseas Service Ribbon and Numerous Foreign Awards and
Decorations
Plus he also earned:
The Special Forces Tab
Combat Infantryman Badge
Expert Infantryman's Badge
Aircrewman Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Pathfinder Badge
Air Assault Badge
Expert Rifle Marksmanship Badge
Vietnamese Ranger Badge
Vietnamese Master Parachute Badge
Thai Master Parachute Badge
Korean Master Parachute Badge
French Parachutist Badge
And the coveted Ranger Tab
As far as I know he is the only recipient of The Medal of Honor to
subsequently go through Ranger School, which he did in 1973
His Medal of Honor Citation reads as
follows:
The President of the United States in
the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
FIRST LIEUTENANT ROBERT L. HOWARD, UNITED STATES ARMY For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Howard (then Sergeant First Class),
distinguished himself while serving as platoon sergeant of an
American-Vietnamese platoon which was on a mission to rescue a missing
American soldier in enemy controlled territory in the Republic of
Vietnam. The platoon had left its helicopter landing zone and was moving
out on its mission when it was attacked by an estimated 2-company force.
During the initial engagement, 1st Lt. Howard was wounded and his weapon
destroyed by a grenade explosion. 1st Lt. Howard saw his platoon leader
had been wounded seriously and was exposed to fire. Although unable to
walk, and weaponless, 1st Lt. Howard unhesitatingly crawled through a
hail of fire to retrieve his wounded leader. As 1st Lt. Howard was
administering first aid and removing the officer's equipment, an enemy
bullet struck 1 of the ammunition pouches on the lieutenant's belt,
detonating several magazines of ammunition. 1st Lt. Howard momentarily
sought cover and then realizing that he must rejoin the platoon, which
had been disorganized by the enemy attack, he again began dragging the
seriously wounded officer toward the platoon area. Through his
outstanding example of indomitable courage and bravery, 1st Lt. Howard
was able to rally the platoon into an organized defense force. With
complete disregard for his safety, 1st Lt. Howard crawled from position
to position, administering first aid to the wounded, giving
encouragement to the defenders and directing their fire on the
encircling enemy. For 3 1/2 hours 1st Lt. Howard's small force and
supporting aircraft successfully repulsed enemy attacks and finally were
in sufficient control to permit the landing of rescue helicopters. 1st
Lt. Howard personally supervised the loading of his men and did not
leave the bullet-swept landing zone until all were aboard safely. 1st
Lt. Howard's gallantry in action, his complete devotion to the welfare
of his men at the risk of his life were in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself,
his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Ranger Robert L. Howard died in Waco,
Texas on 23 December 2009 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
He was 70 years old.
Rangers Lead The Way!
Nominated by Robert Suchke |
